Midfielder on Stevenage visit

Simon Walton says it's business as usual ahead of Saturday's visit of Stevenage

Midfielder Simon Walton says it's business as usual as he prepares to face his former club Stevenage at the Checkatrade.com Stadium on Boxing Day, kick off 3pm.

The ex-Boro skipper, who spent last season at the club, has been a virtual ever present figure in Mark Yates' side, having made 23 appearances so far this season, and he believes that it's vital to utilise the experienced players in a squad if you want to be successful in this league.

"The successful teams have a strong, experienced spine. Stevenage have that added with (Michael) Tonge, who has played in the Championship, but we’ve got experience in the middle as well. It's no secret that we're young at the back so you have experienced players there to guide them," he said.

"I was looked after by experienced players like Mark Viduka and Michael Duberry when I started out at Leeds and I find that it's good to do the same. The younger lads here are more than happy to listen and they do take on the advice we give them."

The Reds currently sit two points ahead of Stevenage in 16th but have struggled for results of late and Simon has said it's vital to cut out the elementary mistakes if we're to go on another good run.

"In the last few weeks we've conceded sloppy penalties and goals, but it's not just the defence - it’s the whole team that needs to defend better. We’re not shirking away from Saturday's result, but we can't need to score three or four goals to win every time. Every game is tough but we know that if we get back to where we were then the clean sheets will come."

Boro have seen an upturn in results of late, nearly doubling their points tally in the last six games and the Reds' midfielder is aware of the threat his old club have.

"Stevenage have picked up after a disappointing start to the season. They've signed experienced players in Tonge and they know how to get results. It's going to be another hard game," said Simon, who is not sure what to expect from the visiting fans in terms of a reception on Boxing Day.

"I’d like to think the reception I would get from the Stevenage fans will just be normal but we'll see. As the saying goes, there’s no friends in football and come Saturday I’ll be focused on getting a result."